I had this problem too, then I found this advice that someone posted: "open the app for the game create a shortcut for it then go to properties and add a space and the word cheat so it will read "C:\Program Files\Stardock Games\GalCiv2\GalCiv2.exe" cheatthat exact order".... It wouldn't let me "just add a space and the word 'cheat'". I had to copy and paste the whole thing. It might not work the same for you though; I have the Dread Lords version. Good luck.

I hope you are still there. I am unable to use the cheat function because I am an idiot and am unclear of what you are specifically instructing me to do here. I think the main thing I don't understand is "open the app for the game".